Cast-steel freight-car spring plank with brake-beam safety device



v I 1927 1,621014 M b- J. E. HUNTER CAST STEEL 'FR'EIGHT CAR sPfiING PLANK WITH BRAKE BEAM SAFETY DEVICE Filed Dec.l 1925 Patented Mar. 15, 1927. i

UNITED s TAT Es PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES HUNTER, OF MONACA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Application filed December 16, 1925. Serial No. 75,766.

'--This" invention relates to improvements in spring planks which, are used upon the trucks for a railway freight car, and has for its-principal object to provide a means 5 adapted for cooperation with the brake beam wlierebly the latter may be temporarily supported when the suspension means for the brake beam accidentally breaks.

With the truck constructions now univer- 10 sally used, no means is. provided for pre venting the brake beams dropping below the'trucks when the brake beam suspension means accidentally becomes broken, and as a result, the brake beam will drop, under the wheels of the car and'will often result in the derailment of the car from the track.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a means which is associated with the spring plank and '20 which normally projects below the brake beams in spaced relation thereto which will catch and support the brake beams which have become dislodged from their support so that the same will not engage the wheels and cause the derailment of the car from .the track. A

A still further object is to provide a spring plank of the above'mentioned character which is simple in construction, inexpensive,.strong and durable and further well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawmg. In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout a the several views:

I Figure l is an end elevation of the spring plank, showing the manner in which the same is associated'with one of .a pair of opposed side frames.

Figure 2 1s a top plan view of the spring plank embodying my invention, and Figure 3 is a transverse section taken approximately on line 3-3 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

In the drawing, wherein for the pur pose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates generally one of the side frames of a railway freight car, the same being of the well known construction.

These side frames are arranged in pairs and in opposed relation at the respective ends of a car in the manner well known in the art. The bolster springs associated with each side frame are indicated at 2. The

brake beams which extend transversely betweeneach pair of opposed side frames are indicated at 3, the same, carrying at their outer ends the usual brake shoes 4 in the manner also well known in the 'art.

The usual suspension means for the brake beams is illustrated at 5, and normally holds the brake beams in proper position between the trucks. a

My improved spring plank comprises the elongated channeled member 6, the same extending'transversely across the pair of opposed side frames so that the ends of the planks are disposed in the bottom of the suitable cut out portions 7 provided therefor in the respective side frames whereby the lower ends of the springs 2 will rest in the channeled planks adjacent the respective ends of the same.

Extending laterally from each side of the channeled planks 6 adjacent the respective ends thereof are the arms 8. These arms are cast integrally with the plank and are formed on the same in such a manner asto be disposed inwardly of the inner side of the truck. The arms are further of such length as to extend beyond the transversely disposed brake beams, and these arms are.

'normallyspaced below the brake beams as is clearly illustrated in Figure 1.

A reinforcing rib 9 is formed on the under side of the channeled planks, and extends from one end of each arm to the outer end of the opposed arm; This construction is more clearly illustrated in Figure 3. It is also to be understood that suitable strengthe'ning or reinforcing ribs are formed on the plank andare disposed between the inner opposed sides of the same in the manner shown more clearly. at '10 in Figure 2.

Under normal conditions, the brake beams 3 are maintained in their properly supported position by the suspension means 5. Should the aforementioned suspension means accidentally become broken, the brake beams will of courseldrop and instead of falling below the wheels and causing the derailment of the car from the track, said brake beams will fall on they laterally disposed arms 8 which will act as a temporary support for the brake beams, and support the same be ofthe'tracks so that there will be no possibility of the same coming in contact with the wheels which thereby will prevent any serious accident occurring. I

A spring plank of the above mentioned character will not necessitate the alteration of any part of the side frame in order to position the same thereon, and will furthermore at all times be positive and efficient in carrying out the purposes for which it is designed.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is In combination with a pair of side frames, including the usual bolster springs, the

brake beams extending transversely of the trucks, and the-suspension means therefor; v.

of a channeled plank extending transversely across the side frames and fittlng snugly in the openings formed in the side frames for supporting all ofthe springs arranged in the openings below the bolster, a straight arm extending laterally from each vof the upstanding sides of the channeledplank adjacent-each end thereof, said arms being.

normally disposed below the brake beams in neled plank, additional reinforcing ribs extending across the bottom of the plank and said laterally extendingarms, said arms and saidribs beingformed integral with the plank. a I

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature;

JAMES E; HUNTER. 

